More than 60 people have been killed in a series of armed attacks on communities in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, prompting the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to call on federal and regional authorities to strengthen civilian protection and bring those responsible to justice.

According to a statement by the church’s Holy Synod, 14 people were killed on October 20 in the Meriti area, while another 46 died in attacks on October 24 in the Shirka area. Witnesses reported that women and children were among the victims.

The attacks also left more than 20 people seriously injured and destroyed 20 residential homes, the Holy Synod said. Witnesses described extensive property damage and the deaths of entire families. Many residents have fled their homes amid fears of further violence.

According to Deutsche Welle, the attacks involved several hours of gunfire, while road closures made it difficult for those injured to receive medical assistance.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church condemned the killings as a massacre and urged the authorities to ensure the safety of local residents, hold the perpetrators accountable and take urgent steps to prevent further attacks.

A memorial service for the victims was held at the patriarchal residence on October 26. The Holy Synod also ordered memorial prayers to be conducted in churches and monasteries across the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on October 27.

The latest violence comes amid a prolonged armed conflict and persistent interethnic tensions in Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest region.

According to a report published in July 2026 by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, 458 people were killed in attacks in the area over the preceding four years. Human rights advocates have repeatedly raised concerns about armed groups targeting local residents, including followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

However, violence in the region has also affected Muslims. Witnesses and local residents have suggested that the attacks may be driven by a combination of religious and ethnic factors, highlighting the complexity of the conflict.

The Orthodox Church said it had repeatedly appealed to the authorities to take measures to protect communities, but that the security situation remained unresolved.

The Holy Synod announced plans to meet with government representatives to discuss long-term measures to protect Christian communities and improve security in affected areas.

The latest killings have renewed calls for effective action to safeguard civilians, ensure accountability for attacks and prevent further displacement and loss of life in Oromia.